News Summary
The Jacksonville City Council has approved the rezoning of Butler Plaza from Industrial Business Park to Planned Unit Development. This ordinance allows for the subdivision of the 16.47-acre property into three parcels, facilitating future sales to different owners. Currently, there are no confirmed buyers, but the change aims to expedite interest in the parcels, which include three office buildings totaling 262,000 square feet. The decision reflects urban planning trends towards mixed-use developments.
Jacksonville City Council Approves Rezone of Butler Plaza
The Jacksonville City Council has unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-0450 to rezone Butler Plaza, a 16.47-acre property, from Industrial Business Park to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The decision, made on August 26, 2025, was supported by a vote of 16-0, with Council members Jimmy Peluso and Terrance Freeman absent and member Will Lahnen abstaining from the vote.
This ordinance will split the Butler Plaza into three nearly equal parcels, each having just under 400 designated parking spots. The San Francisco-based investment firm TPG Real Estate Partners Investments LLC, which owns Butler Plaza, requested the rezoning to facilitate the sale of the individual parcels to separate owners.
Details of the Property and Future Plans
There are currently no confirmed buyers for the subdivided parcels. However, Cyndy Trimmer, a land-use attorney representing TPG, has indicated that the goal of subdividing the property is to expedite the sale process when potential buyers express interest. The Butler Plaza encompasses three office buildings with a combined area of nearly 262,000 square feet.
Each of the three main buildings has unique specifications: the first building, located at 4899 Belfort Road, spans 86,929 square feet, and was constructed in 1999; the second at 4887 Belfort Road measures 87,433 square feet and was built in 2001; and the third structure, located at 4875 Belfort Road, is also 87,433 square feet and built in 2008. A smaller utility building is also part of the plaza.
Ownership History
TPG Real Estate Partners Investments LLC purchased Butler Plaza through its subsidiary, Jacksonville Butler PropCo, LLC, which was registered in November 2019. The property was acquired for $37.9 million from Greenfield Partners, a firm based in Westport, Connecticut.
Among the tenants occupying Butler Plaza is the Wounded Warrior Project, a well-known nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans. The conversion of Butler Plaza into a PUD could allow for a more diverse use of the property in the future, accommodating residential, commercial, and industrial developments all within the same district.
Understanding Planned Unit Development (PUD)
A Planned Unit Development is a special zoning classification that permits an integrated development approach. It allows for flexible land use and encourages developments that may include a variety of housing options, retail spaces, and services. This flexibility is particularly valuable in urban areas where mixed-use developments can revitalize neighborhoods and provide essential services nearby.
The Council’s decision to approve this ordinance marks a significant step in the revitalization of Butler Plaza and reflects a broader trend in urban planning focusing on flexibility and mixed-use developments.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville.com: City Council Members Texted Each Other About Bill
- News4Jax: Attorney Calls for Sunshine Law Investigation
- First Coast News: Controversial Immigration Bill Passes Jacksonville City Council
- Florida Politics: Jacksonville City Council Seeks Ethics Opinion
- Wikipedia: City Council
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
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